I have had my website up and running for 2 months, am in :-
Yellow Pages Thomson Local Directory hotfrog ebay UK Small Business Directory Freeindex
And I have had the grand total of 1 enquiry! No one has asked if I have experience, qualifications or anything else and I am feeling totally despondent now. Any other ideas for advertising? It seems from feedback from others that leaflet drops and letters to local businesses are a complete waste of time.
I had a chap from one of the distance learning colleges visit me in Feb this year telling me that as a bookkeeper I can earn between £25 and £30 per hour and people are crying out for bookkeepers as there is so much work out there. I don't charge anywhere near this (£12.50 per hour) but no work!
What are other view on this? I assume once the recession is over things will pick up for new bookkeeping businesses?
Don't lose heart. I know exactly how you feel and I am sure everyone on this forum has been at the very same point if they are honest.
Have you tried putting an ad in the window of local newsagents or businesses. I have found this to be my most winning form of advertisement. It is true as well that word of mouth is invaluable but you need one or two clients to begin with!
Have you also thought about the way you advertise. Standard 'Do you need a bookkeeper, I can do this and that' rarely work and you need something to catch attention.
I have found my most successful advertising was to advertise for help with Tax Returns, hundreds of people have to complete them and very few feel confident. I have found this to be a lucrative angle.
Don't get down, it will get better.
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Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
I'm feeling a bit like a broken record now, but phone, phone, phone. With advertising the dialogue is one way, you have a few seconds to say "USE ME!".
If people have any questions you're banking on them calling you to talk about it, and unless you really sell it in your ad, they wont. Remember people don't know you, and unless you have a huge advertising budget I don't think it works.
I think you need a joined up marketing and advertising strategy, including letters, adverts and, I think, most importantly phone calls. With phoning people you've done the hard bit (getting to actually open the dialogue) you have a chance to convince them that they not only need a bookkeeper, but that they need Leigh. Leigh has something they can;t get anywhere else.
If you don't feel confident you can buy in this service. Feel free to call me if you want to chat about it. And good luck.
The views expressed in this post are my own personal (HRA protected) views, and are not representative of any organisation I have any involvement with.
I agree with what Kris has said and I have come to the same conclusion about buying a service. When I speak with prospective clients I explain about how outsourcing can benefit them so I have to take my own advice and am contacting telemarketing companies to make the follow up calls on my behalf as I know at the moment I do not have the inner confidence to do it.
Good luck and try not to get too downhearted, (easier said than done, I know)
I am in a similar position to Leigh where I havent had much response from advertising yet but my first work is coming from a batch of letters I wrote to my local accountants. Whilst the rate of pay is not quite at the top end its a start.
Did you know that 70% of professional service firms who feel they are well known in their market report their lead generation tactics are working? This compares to only 30% for firms who feel they are not well know. So, the first question is how much time, energy and money have you invested building your brands awareness?
There are many ways to build your brand including PR and public speaking. Look out for speaking opportunities and host your own seminars and workshops. These can cover a wide range of topics from basic bookkeeping for start-ups, credit control and understanding your accounts.
Seminars can be promoted with direct mail letters, postcards and emails and give you and opportunity to develop relationships with strategic partners like accountants, banks and Business Link.
Getting on the phone does work and you can maximise results, and make it more comfortable, by developing effective processes.
Is your Website optimised? Is the design professional? What does your Website offer to tempt visitors to contact you? Are you offering a promotion?
Remember, once you start getting leads you need to ensure your client management, pricing, sales skills maximise the results!
We are running some one-day workshops you may be interested in.
Some good advice from Bob. There are loads of ways to increase your brand awareness, and the great thing is that if you really think about it, there are loads that cost only your time.
There is a marketing rule of 7 which says a customer must see your logo, advert or branding seven times before they trust you.
The views expressed in this post are my own personal (HRA protected) views, and are not representative of any organisation I have any involvement with.
Kris - we believe it helps if the logo is on high quality material. In our experience this takes time, money, energy and skill to produce.
We use a team of people to create the Crunchers collateral and sharing the cost allows us to produce things like StinkyBooks. Today I commissoned a report called "Stop counting the money and start making it"...why every small business should have a bookkeeper!"
-- Edited by BobHarper on Monday 21st of September 2009 06:25:46 PM
